Image above courtesy of the FDNY.
VIDEO from the scene by Paul Bassett
1:30 p.m.: New agencies reported that up to two dozen people were injured in the blast. New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio gave a press conference in which he praised the FDNY reponse, saying they responded in two minutes to the scene. The mayor said 250 firefighters or more were operating at the site of the explosion. Images showed firefighters combing through the rubble. CNN said more fatalities seem likely, and a number of people were still missing.
Noon: Another person has been reported dead in the explosion. The number of injuries is up to 16. Although it’s not confirmed that this deadly incident is the result of a gas explosion, if it was that would make this the second major gas-related explosion the East Coast has seen in March–there was a fatal explosion at a Ewing Township (NJ) townhouse development last week.
11 a.m.: New outlets report at least 11 people injured with at least one person dead. Two five-story multiple dwellings were reportedly collapsed. Some residents were unaccounted for. Con Edison, the local utility, reportedly responded to calls regarding a gas leak at the scene.
10:25 a.m.: Reports of a fourth alarm being struck. Live footage from the scene showed at least two master streams applying water to the structure and smoke billowing through the streets. NBC Connecticut reported that smoke could be seen for miles away in Midtown Manhattan.
ORIGINAL STORY: New agencies report an explosion and building collapse in East Harlem.
The reports indicate possible victims entrapped and the FDNY calling for a third-alarm response. News agencies reported that at least four people were injured.
More details as they become available.
